The committee was chaired by the Queensland Coalition MP George Christensen, who says Australia's remotely-piloted aircraft or drone industry is growing rapidly.

"Increasing numbers of consumers are buying and using drones and they already play a role in a range of Australian industries, from journalism, cinematography, policing and emergency services, to agriculture, mining and scientific research," he said.

Mr Christensen says the committee recognises that drones can reduce the cost and risk of many dull or dangerous jobs, but he says they can also be misused.

"They can pose a safety risk to other aircraft or to people and property on the ground, and the cameras and sensors they carry can be used to invade someone's privacy," he said.

"The challenge we face is to realise the potential of this innovative technology while protecting against its risks."

The committee has made six recommendations in total which fall into two broad categories - safety and privacy.

"The committee has recommended that the Government simplify what is a complex web of privacy and surveillance laws, so that members of the parliament and drone operators alike can more easily understand the law," Mr Christensen said.

"At the same time the committee has recommended that the Government consider introducing legislation to protect Australians from intrusions into their private seclusion, and to provide a more reliable remedy for those whose privacy has been breached."

Privacy concerns spark call for legal recourse

The Australian Law Reform Commission has recently finished a report on serious invasions of privacy. It has been handed to the Government, but not yet publicly released.

The privacy act does offer some substantial protections in certain circumstances, but there are a number of situations in which it may not protect Australians against the invasive use of drones.

Labor MP Sharon Claydon

The discussion paper issued by the commission raised the prospect of introducing a tort of privacy for the most serious invasions - that is, giving people the ability to launch a civil suit for compensation if their privacy is breached.

The committee says this or something similar should be considered.

But a spokesman for Senator Brandis says the Government does not support a tort for privacy.

He says the Government will consider the report and its recommendations.

"The Privacy Act does offer some substantial protections in certain circumstances, but there are a number of situations in which it may not protect Australians against the invasive use of drones," Ms Claydon said.

"A lack of uniform laws across state boundaries was highlighted as particular issue of concern, as was the method for individuals to redress potential privacy breaches."

To address those concerns the committee wants the federal, state and territory governments to harmonise surveillance laws across the country to include listening devices, optical and data surveillance devices, and tracking devices.

It says the Commonwealth should also examine the current and future use of drones by law enforcement agencies and their impact on privacy.

Ms Claydon says the committee has called on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to include privacy information with the safety pamphlet already given to drone operators.

"While control of airspace is already legislated, the committee recommends that CASA broaden future consultation processes to include industry and recreational uses from a non-aviation background," she said.

But the committee wants CASA and the Privacy Commissioner to conduct another review by 2016 to make recommendations for the future, given the rapid development of drone technology.